Cardizem LA Warnings and Precautions

Make sure to let your healthcare provider know about all existing medical conditions you have and any other medications you are taking before starting Cardizem LA. Warnings and precautions also include the safety of taking Cardizem LA if you have an arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, or kidney disease, and the risk of low blood pressure and increased liver enzymes in some people.

Cardizem LA: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Cardizem LA® (diltiazem hydrochloride) if you have:

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Specific Cardizem LA Warnings and Precautions

Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking Cardizem LA include the following:

The medication can decrease the heart rate. This can be a problem in people with certain types of arrhythmias or people taking other medications that can slow down the heart rate.

Cardizem LA should be used with caution in people with congestive heart failure (CHF). The drug can cause fluid retention (edema), which can be especially dangerous in people with CHF.

The medication can lower your blood pressure, so be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you have signs of low blood pressure during treatment, including dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.

Cardizem LA can increase liver enzymes (found using a simple blood test), which may be a sign of liver damage.

Cardizem LA is metabolized and removed from the body using the liver and kidneys. Therefore, if you have liver or kidney disease, the drug may build up in your body. Your healthcare provider should monitor you more closely and may need to decrease your Cardizem LA dosage.

Cardizem LA is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that it may not be safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using the drug when pregnant (see Cardizem LA and Pregnancy).

The medication passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to using Cardizem LA (see Cardizem LA and Breastfeeding).

eMedTV serves only as an informational resource. This site does not dispense medical advice or advice of any kind.
Site users seeking medical advice about their specific situation should consult with their own physician. Click
Terms of Use for more information.

You've chosen to add topics from the topic group to your selected topics.

Are you sure you want to add all of these topics?

Are You Sure?

You've chosen to clear all of your selected topics. Remember, you need at least one selected topic to use HealthSavvy. If you choose this option, it cannot be undone, and you'll need to choose at least new topic to continue using your HealthSavvy programs.